September brings the best of both worlds to Northern Virginia and DC. The heat finally breaks, fall festival season kicks into gear, and the region's cultural calendar fills up with everything from Oktoberfests and wine festivals to major music festivals and a poignant 25th anniversary remembrance of September 11. This guide rounds up the best things to do this September across Fairfax County and the broader DC area, so you can plan your weekends before the calendar fills up. If you are exploring the area and thinking about what makes a neighborhood feel like home, start with a free home valuation, or connect with Team DDA to talk through what community fits your lifestyle best.

Quick Facts on September 2026 Events

• September marks the start of fall festival season in Fairfax County, with major events including Cox Farms Fall Festival, the Colonial Market and Fair at Mount Vernon, and the Reston Multicultural Festival
• September 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, with commemorative programming at the National Museum of the United States Army, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and the Pentagon Memorial
• September has been designated Virginia Spirits Month, with weekly whiskey tastings at George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill at Mount Vernon
• All Things Go Music Festival brings headliners including Ethel Cain, Brandi Carlile, and Mitski to Columbia, Maryland from September 25 through 27
• DC Jazz Fest runs September 2 through 6 across the Wharf and downtown DC
• Several Oktoberfest celebrations kick off in Fairfax County starting in mid to late September, with more running into October

Fall Festival Season Kicks Off in Fairfax County

Apple cider donuts, hayrides, and pumpkins are all on the way as Fairfax County's fall festival season officially begins this month. The Colonial Market and Fair returns to George Washington's Mount Vernon September 19 and 20, while Cox Farms Fall Festival in Centreville opens September 19 and runs all the way through November 8, giving families plenty of time to plan a visit. The Reston Multicultural Festival takes over Reston Town Square Park on September 19, and the Mosaic Fall Festival brings Freshfarm market vendors and vintage goods from URBNmarket to the Mosaic District on September 25 and 26.

Wine lovers should look out for the Bull Run Wine Festival Fall 2026 at The Winery at Bull Run, running September 26 and 27 with tastings from wineries across the state, live music, and local artisans. The Falls Church Festival also marks a milestone this year, celebrating its 50th anniversary on September 19 with family friendly activities and local food vendors at the Falls Church Community Center.

Oktoberfest Celebrations Begin

Fall means Oktoberfest season across Fairfax County, and the celebrations start earlier than the name suggests. The Swiss Bakery in Springfield hosts Oktoberfest on September 20, with a second date following in October, while Shipgarten in Tysons kicks things off with an Oktoberfest German Kickoff on September 19. G34.3 Brewing Co. joins in with its own Oktoberfest Party on September 26. More celebrations, including the Great Falls Oktoberfest and Vienna Oktoberfest, follow in early October for anyone who wants to extend the celebration into fall.

Honoring the 25th Anniversary of September 11

September 2026 carries special significance as the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and Fairfax County has organized a series of meaningful commemorations. The National Museum of the United States Army is debuting a new special exhibit, Steel and Stone: Engineering the Response to 9/11, which tells the story of the Army Corps of Engineers' role in the response and recovery effort. From August 28 through September 11, visitors can also see the massive American flag that was unfurled over the damaged side of the Pentagon the day after the attacks, still bearing soot stains from that day. The museum is also hosting public programs from September 11 through 13, including activities for children and an honor walk.

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly is hosting a panel discussion on September 10 titled 9/11: 25 Years Later, bringing together first responders and aviation personnel to share their stories, both in person and streamed live online. Additional remembrance events include a ceremony at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial and the annual flag unfurling ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial in nearby Arlington.

Virginia Spirits Month and Local Distilleries

Virginia holds a unique distinction as the birthplace of American spirits, with the first batch of whiskey distilled in the state back in 1620, and George Washington himself became the largest whiskey distiller of his era, producing more than 11,000 gallons in 1798 alone. September has been designated Virginia Spirits Month in recognition of that legacy, and George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill at Mount Vernon is marking the occasion with weekly whiskey tastings throughout the month. For a more modern take, Open Road Distilling Company at Reston Town Center offers daily tastings, a full restaurant, and a speakeasy style cocktail experience at its Heirloom bar.

More One of a Kind Local Events

A few standout events round out the local calendar this September. Circus Vazquez, which has entertained families for more than 50 years, performs under the Big Top at Lerner Town Square through September 13. Runners can lace up for the George Washington Patriot Run on September 13, a 5K and 10 mile race that finishes with a view of the Mount Vernon mansion. Vintage Reston, a temporary pop up at Lake Anne Brew House featuring mid century modern furniture and decor alongside zero proof beverages, runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. throughout the month. The Workhouse Arts Center has also launched a new season pass for its Performing Arts Division, covering the upcoming lineup of Bat Boy, Camelot, Clue, and Ruthless while saving ticket holders up to $50.

What's Happening Across the Broader DC Area

Fairfax County is far from the only place with a packed September calendar. DC Jazz Fest runs September 2 through 6 at the Wharf and downtown venues, while Rosslyn Jazz Fest brings a free afternoon of contemporary jazz to Arlington on September 12. Music fans looking for something bigger can catch All Things Go Music Festival in Columbia, Maryland from September 25 through 27, featuring headliners Ethel Cain, Brandi Carlile, and Mitski.

Community and heritage festivals are in full swing as well, including Adams Morgan Day on September 13, the H Street Festival on September 19, and Fiesta DC's parade and celebration on September 26 and 27. Families can check out the DC State Fair on September 6, the State Fair of Virginia in Doswell from September 25 through October 4, or the Charles County Fair in La Plata from September 17 through 20. For art lovers, National Gallery Nights kicks off its fall season on September 10, and the 15th annual Art All Night brings galleries and creative spaces across DC to life overnight on September 11 and 12.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do This September

What are the biggest fall festivals in Fairfax County this September? Major festivals include Cox Farms Fall Festival starting September 19, the Colonial Market and Fair at Mount Vernon on September 19 and 20, the Reston Multicultural Festival on September 19, and the Mosaic Fall Festival on September 25 and 26.

What events are happening in Fairfax County for the 25th anniversary of 9/11? The National Museum of the United States Army is unveiling a new exhibit and hosting public programs from September 11 through 13, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is hosting a panel discussion on September 10 featuring first responders and aviation personnel.

What is Virginia Spirits Month? Virginia Spirits Month is a September designation celebrating the state's distilling history, marked by weekly whiskey tastings at George Washington's Distillery & Gristmill at Mount Vernon and tastings at Open Road Distilling Company in Reston.

When do Oktoberfest celebrations start in Fairfax County? Oktoberfest events begin in mid to late September, including celebrations at the Swiss Bakery on September 20 and Shipgarten on September 19, with several more following into October.

What major concerts or festivals are happening in the DC area this September? DC Jazz Fest runs September 2 through 6, Rosslyn Jazz Fest takes place September 12, and All Things Go Music Festival, featuring Ethel Cain, Brandi Carlile, and Mitski, runs September 25 through 27 in Columbia, Maryland.

The Bottom Line on September in Fairfax County and DC

Between the start of fall festival season, a meaningful 25th anniversary remembrance of September 11, Virginia Spirits Month, and a full slate of music and cultural festivals across the wider DC area, September gives Fairfax County residents plenty of reasons to get out and explore before the weather turns cold. Local events like these are also a great reflection of the community energy that makes a neighborhood worth calling home. If you are exploring the area and want to know more about the local market near your favorite fall destinations, get a free home valuation or reach out to Team DDA to talk through the neighborhood.

Debbie Dogrul Associates, known as Team DDA, is the number one eXp Realty team in Virginia and one of Northern Virginia's most trusted real estate teams. With more than 35 full-time Realtors, over 540 homes sold annually, nearly $400 million in 2025 sales volume, and 2,030+ five-star reviews, Team DDA brings deep local expertise to Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, Loudoun County, Prince William County, and communities across Northern Virginia including Burke, Vienna, Reston, McLean, Tysons, Herndon, and Springfield. From pricing strategy and professional marketing for sellers to offer negotiation and closing support for buyers, our full-service approach is built to help clients move with confidence in a competitive market. Beyond real estate, Team DDA gives back through the DDA Love Foundation, contributing more than $100,000 in 2025 to local families, students, and nonprofits across the region.

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